Here's a spectacular volunteer opportunity - helping with the "Spectacular! Spectacular!", a Dinner Circus Cabaret Fundraiser for KMUD Community Radio Saturday, April 11 at the Arcata Community Center. To volunteer or find out more call 707-223-3849, or contact Kerry Morgan at 707-923-2513, or by e-mail at: kerry@kmud.org

Southern Humboldt residents met last evening, Thurs., Jan. 15, 2015, in the Redway Elementary School Gym to hear panel presentations by law enforcement and the D.A.'s Office regarding re-staffing to increase Sheriff's Officers' presence in the southern part of the county and to discuss community involvement in helping keep residents and property safe. The meeting was facilitated by Second District Supervisor, Estelle Fennel, and the panel included Garberville-Redway Chamber of Commerce Director, Cinnamon Paula, and a number of the Chamber's Board Members.

Thursday's meeting, designed to focus on solutions, followed a previous Town Hall meeting, held last June, where a huge crowd gathered to express concern about the lack of police presence and response to crime in the Southern Humboldt area.

Tune in to KMUD this Monday, Jan. 19 from 8 - 9 am, for more information about the meeting.

Use the audio players below to hear the full audio from the Thurs. meeting.

A new interactive online search tool, called “Is My Property Near a Nitrate-Impacted Water Well”, was recently posted by the State Water Resources Control Board. The tool alerts users if privately owned water wells are located within 2,000 feet of a nitrate-impacted well - defined as a water well with at least one detection of nitrate pollutant at a level above the health standard since 2000.

The Water Resources Control Board recommends that private well owners test their wells annually using an accredited drinking water laboratory.

Use the player below to hear a report on this story by Kerry Reynolds, including an interview with John Borkovich, Chief of Ground Water Monitoring and Assessment for the Water Resources Control Board.{mp3} news/WellTesting {/mp3}

CCVH states: California Cannabis Voice Humboldt is working to pass a cannabis land use ordinance for Humboldt County which would provide a path to legitimacy for Humboldt County Cannabis Farmers. CCVH fights to preserve the ideals of the small family cannabis farm as California presses toward legalization in 2016.

KMUD's Kerry Reynolds reported on this issue during the KMUD News of Wednesday, November 12. Listen to the story here. More audio from the meeting below.

Approximately 100 people attended a public meeting on Thursday, Nov. 6th at the Blue Lake Casino & Hotel's Sapphire Palace to discuss a comprehensive cannabis ordinance for Humboldt County. The meeting, organized by California Cannabis Voice Humboldt (CCVH), included three panels of delegates from the 35-member stakeholder group that held an initial summit meeting in early October.

Audio from each of the panels can be heard and/or downloaded using the players below. Audio, panel descriptions, and panel photo provided by KMUD Correspondent Kerry Reynolds.

Panel 1 - "What Is CCVH?" On this panel, members talk about how they became involved with CCVH, a registered Political Action Committee, and the CCVH goals for Humboldt County.

Panel 2- "Sustainability: 2016 and Beyond" This panel begins by discussing how cannabis farmers, businesses, and collectives can file taxes. They also talk about how the ordinance will require farmers to demonstrate that they have sufficient and legal water for their farming needs. Also included, is a briefing by an audience member on efforts towards bringing to Southern Humboldt the excess water from Mad River that was previously used for a pulp mill.

Panel 3 - "Land Use, Permitting, and You" In this Panel, Patrick Murphy describes his efforts to become fully permitted and compliant with the county, and Steve Lazar and Praj White discuss pathways to compliance for permitting. The issue of shaded parcels was also raised. In addition, many of the panelists talk about how the ordinance will treat cannabis as an agricultural commodity and will work to make the county cannabis program as accessible as possible for small cannabis farmers.

Locally, Measure P-GMO Cultivation Prohibition, Measure Z- Sales Tax-Humboldt County Public Safety/Essential Services Measure, and Measure X-Southern Humboldt Joint Unified School District Bond Measure were all approved by voters with 59% of voters saying yes to P, 55% approving measure Z, and 64% favoring Measure X. And Mendocino County voters approved Measure S, the Anti-Fracking initiative by a large majority.

Democratic Candidate Jared Huffman will continue in office, as will Governor Brown. Jim Wood will be seated for the State Assembly, District 2, and Mike McGuire prevailed in the District 2 State Senate race.

In national politics, the Republicans strengthened their majority in the House giving them the biggest majority since Harry Truman's presidency more than 60 years ago while seizing the majority in the Senate by 52-45 with two independents. Louisiana's U.S. Senate race will be decided in a Dec. 6 runoff.

Details on selected outcomes of the election are found below and are from the Humboldt County Election Night Final Report as of 11:42 PM with 100% of precincts reporting. State vote tallies are as of 12:12 AM, Wed. Nov. 5. More details can be viewed on the KMUD News Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/KmudNews

Blue Lake City Council Member (vote for two/shows two top vote-getters)John Sawatzky-46%Jean S. Lynch-35%

Eureka City Council Member Ward 1(only one candidate running)Marian Brady-93%

Eureka City Council Member Ward 3Mike L. Newman-51%Kim Bergel-49%

Eureka City Council Member Ward 5Natalie Arroyo-62%Chet Albin-38%

Humboldt County Ballot Measures:

Measure P (yes=59%/no=41%): Genetic Contamination Prevention Ordinance/Question: Shall the ordinance prohibiting the propagation, cultivation, raising or growing of genetically engineered organisms (also known as GMOs) in Humboldt County be adopted?

Measure Z (yes=55%/no=45%): Sales Tax/Question: HUMBOLDT COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY/ESSENTIAL SERVICES MEASURE. To maintain/improve essential services, such as 24-hour sheriff's patrols; 9-1-1 emergency response; crime investigation/prosecution; drug/illegal marijuana growhouse enforcement/prevention; services for abused children/mentally ill; rural fire protection; road repairs; and other County services, shall County of Humboldt pursuant to County Ordinance No. 2517 enact a 1/2% sales tax, for five years, all revenue for the County, none for the State of California, with annual audits and public review?

Blue Lake-Measure T (yes=46%/no=54%):Utility Users Tax/ Question: To help ensure that the City of Blue Lake has the funds necessary to support the quality of life its residents have come to expect through such essential services as adequate law enforcement, park and recreation programs, and the maintenance and repair of local streets and public facilities, among others, shall the City place a four percent (4%) Utility Users Tax (Resolution No. 1033) on all electricity and gas usage in the City, beginning March 1, 2015, and automatically terminating five years later?)

Eureka-Measure Q (yes=66%/no=34%):Sales Tax Extension/ Question: Shall the Eureka Municipal Code be amended to extend a one-half of one percent (0.50%) supplemental transaction and use tax to fund essential services such as police, fire medical response, street maintenance, environmental programs, zoo, parks and recreation with the following restrictions? The supplemental transaction and use tax will expire after five years, unless reauthorized by the voters. A citizen's oversight committee shall be established to conduct annual audits of all expenditures generated by the tax to ensure fiscal accountability and public participation

-Measure R (yes=38%/no=62%):Minimum Wage Ordinance Initiative/ Question: Shall an ordinance be adopted that (1) requires (a) payment of minimum wages in Eureka at $12.00 per hour for employers with 25 or more employees (including Welfare-to-Work Programs) with an annual increase, if any, based on the Consumer Price Index beginning the ninetieth (90th) day after certification; (b) City Attorney enforcement through fines, penalties, or civil actions; (c) City Council authority to amend the ordinance with regard to implementation or enforcement; and (d)voter approval of substantive changes to the ordinance; and (2) allows private enforcement through civil actions?

Fortuna-Measure V (yes=37%/no=63%):"Budget Stabilization" Sales Tax/ Question: To offset state budget cuts and restore stability to Fortuna's city budget; maintain 9-1-1 emergency response services; restore cuts to police protection, gang/drug prevention, and road/sidewalk maintenance; support local businesses, the Fortuna Rodeo and AutoXpo; and maintain other essential general services, shall the City of Fortuna establish a one cent sales tax, requiring independent annual financial audits and public review, with all funds remaining in Fortuna?

Rio Dell-Measure U (yes=53%/no=47%):Sales Tax/ Question: Shall the City of Rio Dell increase the sales tax by 1%, for five years only, providing locally controlled funding that cannot be taken by the State?

State-wide outcomes for State Propositions (as of 12:55 AM Wed., Nov 5/Propositions need over 50% to pass/pass shown in green):

Prop. 1 (yes=67%/no=33%)-Water Bond: Authorizes $7.12 billion in general obligation bonds for state water supply infrastructure projects, such as surface and groundwater storage; ecosystem and watershed protection and restoration; drinking water protection; water supply management; water recycling and advanced water treatment technology; and flood control.

Prop. 2 (yes=69%/no=31%)-Budget: Amends the State Constitution to end the existing rules for a state budget reserve—the Budget Stabilization Account (BSA)—and replace them with new rules. The new rules would change how the state pays down debt and saves money in reserves, including the requirement to spend a minimum amount each year to pay down specific debts. If passed, a new state reserve would be created for schools and community colleges. In addition, a new state law would go into effect that sets the maximum budget reserves school districts can keep at the local level in some future years.

Prop. 46 (yes=33%/no=67%)-Drug and Alcohol Testing of Doctors; Medical Negligence Lawsuits: This measure would increase the state's cap on damages that can be assessed in medical negligence lawsuits to over $1 million from the current cap of $250,000, with annual adjuments for inflation going forward. Additionally, it requires drug and alcohol testing of doctors and the reporting of positive tests to the California Medical Board for mandated discipline. Lastly, it mandates that health care practitioners consult a state prescription drug history database before prescribing certain medications.

Prop. 47 (yes=58%/no=42%)-Criminal Sentences: This measure reduces penalties for certain offenders convicted of nonserious and nonviolent property and drug crimes. The measure also allows certain offenders who have been previously convicted of such crimes to apply for reduced sentences. In addition, the measure requires any state savings that result from the measure be spent to support truancy (unexcused absences) prevention, mental health and substance abuse treatment, and victim services.

Prop. 48 (yes=39%/no=61%)-Indian Gaming: In June 2013, the Legislature passed AB 277, which approves gaming compacts between the state and the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians and the Wiyot Tribe. Under the State Constitution, enacted legislation can generally be placed before voters as a referendum to determine whether it can go into effect. This proposition is a referendum on AB 277. If voters approve Proposition 48, the gaming compacts between the state and the two tribes would go into effect, allowing North Fork to construct a casino in Madera County.

The midterm election 2014 gives opportunities to vote for candidates for various state offices including Governor and Congressional Representative, as well as a number of state and local propositions.

In-person voting will take place on Tues., Nov. 4. Polling hours are from 7 am to 8 pm. Polling places can be found according to your mailing addressby clicking here.

If you have not registered to vote, the last day to do so for this election is Oct. 20, 2014.

If you are uncertain if you are registered you may check your status by clicking here.

If you are voting by mail, return your vote-by-mail ballot early to ensure it is received no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day. Alternatively, you may drop your vote-by-mail ballot off at any polling location on Election Day. There is an insert included with your vote-by-mail ballot that tells you the location of polling places nearest to you.

You can view your ballot and other relevant information on-line for your county and district, or any other in California, by clicking here to use Voter's Edge, or use the Voter's Edge widget below.

KMUD News has covered a number of election issues in our local broadcast area and posted the audio from these on KMUD News SoundCloud. You can hear these stories by using the players below.

Holly Madrigal and Tom Woodhouse are battling it out for the 3rd District Supervisor seat in Mendocino county. The candidates faced off during an environmentally-focused forum, Kate Maxwell reports.

Proposition 1, the state's multi-billion dollar water bond, will be on the November election ballot and the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors is supporting its approval. Daniel Mintz reports.

If passed, Proposition 1 will approve the 4th largest water bond in California's history. Environmental groups are split on whether the bond is a good start for fixing California's water system. 2nd District Assemblyman Wes Chesbro says its not a good deal for Northern California. Kerry Reynolds reports, with research assistance from Christina Aanestad.

Proponents of State Proposition 45 seek to put control over health insurance rate hikes into the hands of California's insurance commissioner. On the pro side of Prop 45 is Jamie Court, president of Consumer Watchdog. Against Prop 45 is Micah Weinberg, a senior policy adviser and the Bay Area Council. Kerry Reynolds reports.

The Southern Humboldt Unified School district is seeking voter approval for Measure X. If approved, Measure X will authorize $10 million dollars for the school district's planned renovations. Monique Rowan files this report.

Medocino County Measure S will ban fracking in Mendocino, and establish a community bill of rights. Mendocino is one of three counties in California considering fracking bans this election, but is the only one with a community rights based initiative. Kate Maxwell reports...

Challengers Natalie Orroyo and Kim Bergel hope to create Eureka's first all-female City Council by ousting incumbents Chet Albin and Mike Newman in the November 4th election. The four candidates debated economic policy, the minimum wage, and downtown bathrooms at an October 20th forum. KMUD News Director Terri Klemetson introduces the story and Eric Black reports

55 year-old Randy Markin from Arcata (shown in the photo) was reported missing last Friday, Oct 24, 2014. Markin, who is diabetic, may be in need of his medication and therefore considered an at-risk missing person. Markin was last seen at his residence at about 1:00 am last Friday.

Randy Markin wears glasses and is described as: a white male adult 6' 3", 230 lbs. with long grey hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a tie-dye T-shirt, long leather jacket, and jeans. Anybody with information about the whereabouts of Randy Markin is urged to contact the Arcata Police Department at: (707) 822-2428. The APD press release appears below.

Arcata Police Department press release, dated 10/25/14:On 10/24/14 at about 3:00 PM, the Arcata Police Department received a missing person report on Randy Markin, 55 years old from Arcata. Markin was last seen at his residence on 10/24/14 at about 1:00 AM. An additional witness who is an acquaintance of Markin believes he saw him at ITF in Arcata on 10/24/14 between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM.

Randy Markin is a white male adult 6 feet 3 inches tall and about 230 pounds with long grey hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a tie-dye T-shirt, long leather jacket, and jeans. Markin also wears glasses. Markin is diabetic and may be in need of his medication and left his cell phone and wallet at home. He uses an electric wheelchair, which he is not currently in possession of.

APD officers have conducted an extensive search of the surrounding area and could not locate Markin. Officers talked to neighbors and local businesses who had not seen Markin.

Update: 10/29/14- Missing hunter, 59 year old Dave Stornetta, was found yesterday, Tues., Oct 28, by a search helicopter. Stornetta, an experienced outdoorsman, was located in good health and not in need of medical attention after surviving seven days, which included rain and low temperatures, in the Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness in southeastern Trinity County where he was deer hunting. The Trinity County Sheriff’s Office press release announcing the rescue appears below as does the original post on this story.

TCSO press release, dated Oct. 29, 2014:On October 28, 2014 at approximately 5:00pm the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by Dave Stornetta’s wife and advised the Sheriff’s Office that the family had located Mr. Stornetta via helicopter. Mr. Stornetta appeared to be in good health and did not appear to need medical attention. Dave Stornetta requested that the helicopter transport him back to the family’s hunting camp. Investigators will be contacting Mr. Stornetta once he returns to his residence regarding his location and movement while he was missing. The Sheriff’s Office is awaiting official confirmation of the exact location of where he was located.

Dave Stornetta (shown in the photo) , a 59 year-old experienced hunter, was reported as missing Wed., Oct. 22, 2014, after he failed to show at a planned meet-up with his son. Stornetta was last seen that Wed. at around 7 am and was hunting in an area of Southern Trinity near the Mendocino County line, described as east of Covelo, where the search for him is currently in progress.

Stornetta is described as: a white male, 5'9" weighing 180 lbs. with brown hair and hazel colored eyes. He was wearing a black baseball cap, green sweat shirt, camo pants and "Redwing" boots. When last seen he was accompanied by a white and liver colored McNabb breed dog with a red collar.

Anyone with information about this missing hunter is asked to call the Trinity County Sheriff's Department at: (530) 623-2611.

Update: Oct. 24, 2014: Brian McSilvers, one of the two inmates who walked away from a S.W.A.P. (Sheriff's Work Alternative Program) work crew on Oct. 14, was arrested without incident after being spotted by a Eureka Police Department Detective walking near 2nd and Q Streets in Eureka. The original post on this incident and photos of the missing inmates appear below.

Inmates assigned to a crew working behind Les Schwab Tires in Eureka walked away while clearing brush in a heavily wooded area. Brian Strehl McSilvers, 36 years old, and James Lawrence Henry Jr., 35, both being held on probation violation charges are being sought by law enforcement and if caught will face additional charges. Photos of the escaped inmates appear below.

Brian Strehl McSilvers is described as a white male, 150 lbs., short blond hair and hazel eyes. He was last seen wearing a blue denim shirt with a white tee- shirt underneath, blue denim pants and work boots. James Lawrence Henry Jr. is 5’ 10” tall, hazel eyes, brown hair and weighs 165 lbs.

Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539. The full Humboldt County Sheriff's Office press release appears below.

HCSO press release, dated 10/16/14:

On 10-14-2014, at approximately 10:30 a.m. two inmates, assigned to an inmate work crew, walked away from a job site they were at behind Les Schwab Tires, Eureka. A Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Correctional Officer was supervising the inmates who were clearing brush in a heavily wooded area. The Correctional Officer took a head count and noticed two inmates were missing. The Correctional Officer searched the immediate area for the missing inmates with no success. Eureka Police was notified and responded to assist with the search for the inmates who are now facing additional charges.

The inmates are identified as:1. Brian Strehl McSilvers, 36 years old, White male, 150 lbs, short blond hair, hazel eyes. He was last seen wearing a blue denim shirt with a white t shirt underneath, blue denim pants and work boots. He was being held on a probation violation and was scheduled to be released on 10-24-2014.

2. James Lawrence Henry Jr. 35 years old, 5’ 10” tall, hazel eyes, brown hair, 165lbs, bald. He was last seen wearing a blue denim shirt with a white t shirt underneath, blue denim pants and work boots. He was being held on a probation violation and was scheduled to be released on 12-15-2014.

Both inmates are from Eureka. Henry is also known to frequent the Fortuna area.

Anyone with information for the Sheriffs Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriffs Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriffs Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.

Update, Sept. 23, 2014: According to the Mendocino Sheriff's Facebook page jail escapee, Brett Edward Harlan, (shown in photo) has been captured. The original post on this story appears below.

Law enforcement in Mendocino is looking for escaped jail inmate, 56-year old Brett Edward Harlan, (shown in the photo). According to a Mendocino County Sheriff's Office press release, Harlan was released from jail on a 4-hour pass to visit a sick relative and did not return by the expiration of the pass. Harlan is believed to be hiding in the areas of Willits or Redwood Valley and should be considered dangerous.

According to KMUD News Facebook, Harlan had been in custody in the Mendocino County Jail on the following charges from 09-04-2014: 10851(a) CVC - Theft of a motor vehicle, 273.6(a) PC - Violation of a court order, 2800.2(a) CVC - Evading a peace officer, 245(c) PC - Assault on a peace officer, 11377(a) HS - Possession of a controlled substance, and 1203.2 PC - Violation of probation."

Harlan is described as 6-feet tall, weighs 220 pounds and has a shaved head and a tattoo that reads “Shirley,” across his upper chest. Harlan also has a tattoo on the right side of the neck below the ear, a tattoo on back of his head and has a prosthetic right leg. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Harlan is urged to call 9-1-1 or the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office dispatch center at 707-463-4086. The full press release appears below.

MCSO press release, dated Sept. 18, 2014:On 09-16-2014 at approximately 7:00 PM Deputies from the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to contacted Mendocino County Jail staff regarding the escape of an inmate.

When Deputies arrived Jail staff advised that on 09-16-2014 the inmate, Brett Edward Harlan, was taken to the Mendocino County Superior Court to petition for a temporary 4-hour release pass, so he could visit a sick relative.

The pass was granted and Harlan was released, but he was ordered to return to the Mendocino County Jail on 09-16-2014 at 4:00 PM.

Harlan subsequently did not return by the listed date/time to surrender himself to Mendocino County Jail staff and he is now considered an Escaped Inmate.

Deputies learned Harlan informed family members after his release that he would not go back to jail or surrender himself as had been previously ordered by the court.

Deputies continued their searched for Harlan and followed up on leads but they could not locate him as hoped.

Harlan is believed to be hiding in the areas of Willits or Redwood Valley and should be considered dangerous.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Harlan is urged to call 9-1-1 or the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office dispatch center at 707-463-4086.

Harlan is described as being a 56-year-old white male adult, standing 6-feet tall and weighing 220 pounds.

Harlan has a shaved head and a tattoo of "Shirley' across the upper front chest area near the neck line. Harlan also has a tattoo on the right side of the neck belowthe ear, a tattoo on back of his head and has a prosthetic right leg.